In this recurring monthly special, Nonahood News will be featuring those who’ve graduated from Lake Nona High School and will recognize the achievements they’ve made since. Some will have been a part of the first graduating class. Others might have graduated a few years later. Few have stayed in the Lake Nona area, and many have explored the world or are still doing so. Let’s see where life’s journey has taken them so far!
Name: Aaron Virgilio
Age: 25
Year Graduated: 2011
Occupation: Software Developer for Travelclick
Current Location: Orlando, FL
This month’s alumni has been in the Lake Nona area for quite some time.
“My parents were longtime residents of the Vista Lakes area and wanted to get closer to the new and upcoming Nona area. In addition, with the new high school being built, my parents saw an opportunity to not have to pay high school tuition.”
While a student at Lake Nona High, Virgilio had some pretty great goals for himself after graduation as he grew up and furthered his life experiences. “[I wanted] to be married, have traveled to new places around the world, own my home, finish my college degree, and have a Golden Retriever,” recalls Virgilio. “Most of my goals were achieved; I just had a realization that some of them were conflicting with one another.”
Virgilio went on to explain how he did get married, but he’s now divorced as he felt he married way too young. He graduated from UCF with a degree in mechanical engineering and met his golden furry best friend named Hercules. He also had the pleasure of exploring the world.
“I did get to travel! I’ve traveled to 12 countries, visited 16 states and other various places around the world, and just recently moved back to Orlando from Hawaii. Traveling so much, I realized it wasn’t logical to own my home, so I rent until I’m ready to make the leap to home ownership.” He sees himself potentially being back in Hawaii in the next five years but plans on staying exactly where he’s currently at as far as his career goes.
Some of Virgilio’s current goals consist of losing the infamous “freshman 15” every college-goer seems to gain and continue to travel while he still can. However, if he doesn’t travel as often, he would like to purchase his first home on Captiva Island in Florida.
He enjoys spending time with Hercules (who just turned five), working on his car or going to trivia nights and food truck events around town. He also still hangs out with some of his friends from high school, and they are able to pick up right where things left off.
How did Virgilio get to where he is now?
“Well, I was heavily career-driven while going through school. I got married right out of high school to my girlfriend at the time. In doing this, it gave me perspective on what’s important when becoming an adult towards ‘wants vs. needs.’ Sadly, after years of doing this, the marriage wound up failing, but I did manage to take some life lessons from this and gave myself new direction…by not having one! Since this realization, I’ve just been riding the current of life in the most positive direction I can, whether it be never refusing a night out or never closing myself [off] to new experiences. I recently started a new career, which I’m truly excited and passionate about. I’ve traveled to many places with my dog, which is one of my true passions, and [I] will do [it] until the end of my days… .”
Written for current and future Lake Nona alumni by a Lake Nona alumna. Check back in to our August issue to learn about our next Nona graduate(s)!
